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About Us

Gary Belan

Senior Director and Co-Lead, Clean Water Supply Program

conservation

Area of Focus

Gary works to promote green infrastructure in the United States, a concept that includes specific engineering and policy tools to improve the way communities manage their water resources. Gary works with a variety of groups to achieve this goal, including grassroots environmental organizations, business interests, as well as local, state and federal government agencies. He particularly loves the fact that his work allows him to empower local environmental groups, while simultaneously working on federal policy.

Background

Gary joined American Rivers in May 2003. Prior to American Rivers, he worked as a project engineer for the Clark Construction Group, working on large commercial building projects.

Education

B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia, and M.A. in Environmental Policy from American University

Blog Posts By This Author

Last week, as reported by the staff over at the Healing Our Waters coalition the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is set to receive $300 million as part of the recent budget deal between congress and the President. While this isn’t the $450 mi… Read more »

Lately I’ve been working with a lot of groups in the green infrastructure community of practice. Basically organizations or companies that are directly involved in the implementation of green roofs, urban trees, permeable pavement and the like. S… Read more »

Milwaukee is at the forefront of cities working to truly integrate green infrastructure into their water infrastructure, which also helps with climate adaptation. American Rivers works with the City and our partners at the Sweet Water Trust to help ach… Read more »

The Winter Olympics are an interesting phenomenon. You never think you’re going to watch much of it, but when it finally arrives, you immediately become addicted to watching it. There is something entrancing about people hurtling themselves down… Read more »

With the holidays quickly approaching and winter settling in, water quality may not be on the top of everybody’s mind. But with the abrupt arrival of heavy snow and ice in many parts of the country, we should all be thinking about the impacts of… Read more »

Thanks to Representative Donna Edwards, and co-sponsors Russ Carnahan and Steve Driehaus, a groundbreaking new piece of legislation was introduced December 3rd that would significantly help advance green infrastructure throughout the country. The Gree… Read more »

On Tuesday, the EPA finally released guidance on Sec. 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Yes, 2007. This section of the law states: “The sponsor of any development or redevelopment project involving a Federal facility with… Read more »

I just wanted to let everyone know about a new initiative that is being worked on that involves green infrastructure. The sustainable sites initiative is an effort by the American Society of Landscape Architects, The United States Botanic Garden and th… Read more »

It’s with great excitement that I’m returning to the blogosphere after a bit of a hiatus. Why am I excited? Because I’m finally able to announce the release of our new stormwater policy tool “Local Stormwater Policy Innovation”. This report was produce… Read more »

While my colleagues and I write and make videos on rain gardens, rain barrels, the importance of addressing stormwater pollution, and in general using green infrastructure to improve our rivers, I think it’s important to keep in mind why we do this. As… Read more »